Fan clutch question

[T4Rscott]

Hi all,

I recently noticed that I can stop my fan with a gloved hand while the engine is at idle.

I asked one mechanic who said I shouldn’t be able to, and a mechanic that works on Toyotas specifically, and he said it was normal.

What is the correct answer? I’m willing to buy a new one.

Thanks,
Scott

 

[spartacus]

Hi all,

I recently noticed that I can stop my fan with a gloved hand while the engine is at idle.

I asked one mechanic who said I shouldn’t be able to, and a mechanic that works on Toyotas specifically, and he said it was normal.

What is the correct answer? I’m willing to buy a new one.

Thanks,
Scott

If the truck is at operating temp it should not be easy to stop the fan. I vé done the news paper test and it shreds the rolled up newspaper without stopping.

 

[brillo_76]

What I have noticed, is if you start up a cold engine. The clutch fan will engage for a little while then slow down and coast. You can actually hear this if you are paying attention. My theory maybe wrong, but to me this is correct as engine is cold and no reason for the fan to really be engaged as its not needed at all.

I see that as a self test. As my 2009 Tacoma has done this from brand new. So has all my Toyota back into the 80s.

When they quit doing this on the startup, Then the fan clutch has an issue. Or you see it leaking fluid its bad. If there is no resistance when it try to spin it when its cold its bad.

They can go bad, I just not have seen one in my environment go bad. Granted, most of my past Toyota's were used and nothing over much 200K miles either as for the rust belt rot most likely this is the reason that I have not seen them fail.

Just my thought.

 

[T4Rscott]

What I have noticed, is if you start up a cold engine. The clutch fan will engage for a little while then slow down and coast. You can actually hear this if you are paying attention. My theory maybe wrong, but to me this is correct as engine is cold and no reason for the fan to really be engaged as its not needed at all.

I see that as a self test. As my 2009 Tacoma has done this from brand new. So has all my Toyota back into the 80s.

When they quit doing this on the startup, Then the fan clutch has an issue. Or you see it leaking fluid its bad. If there is no resistance when it try to spin it when its cold its bad.

They can go bad, I just not have seen one in my environment go bad. Granted, most of my past Toyota's were used and nothing over much 200K miles either as for the rust belt rot most likely this is the reason that I have not seen them fail.

Just my thought.

I’m wondering if this is a possible reason for the AC not engaging at idle.

 

[mtbtim]

The fan clutch will start to lock up at around operating temp, 188 - 194 degrees. At what temp if fully locks up at, I'm not certain. When the fan clutch isn't locked up, it's not turning one for one with the rpms of the engine. When the fan clutch does lock up, it is now turning at the same speed as the engine.

If the fan clutch fails and doesn't unlock, this is when it can kill your gas mileage because it's creating an additional drag on the engine all the time. When it fails and doesn't lock up, this is when you'll have overheating issues under idling conditions or you're stuck in slow moving traffic.

My video can help you test your fan clutch. If it's bad, the video also shows how to swap it out. Good luck!

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WzhlACxqeqQ" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[JoeT4R]

Agreed with the above. I had a bad fan clutch and it took me forever to figure it out. Had to learn somehow. My coolant temp would rise during hot months when I'd blast the A/C and idling. A new Aisin unit took care of that!

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[brillo_76]

I’m wondering if this is a possible reason for the AC not engaging at idle.

No.. The Fan clutch is just like an electric fan sorta. I cant see it having anything to do with your AC not engaging at idle.

Its more like when it hits a certain temp it will engage and pull air through the radiator to cool the engine coolant down.

The entire reason its fluid is just to save energy. As lots of time its not needed and when its not it doesn't take energy away from the engine.

Lots of Toyota's don't even have them. They went to electric fans in the Camry's etc.

You sadly have one of those issues that makes you scratch your head and its one that is extremely rare or no one else has come across before.

Does your engine when its normal operating temp. Idle kick up when you hit the AC button up like to 800 to 900 rpm at idle?

As sadly, I have no idea what is causing that particular issue.. :-(

 

[T4Rscott]

No.. The Fan clutch is just like an electric fan sorta. I cant see it having anything to do with your AC not engaging at idle.

Its more like when it hits a certain temp it will engage and pull air through the radiator to cool the engine coolant down.

The entire reason its fluid is just to save energy. As lots of time its not needed and when its not it doesn't take energy away from the engine.

Lots of Toyota's don't even have them. They went to electric fans in the Camry's etc.

You sadly have one of those issues that makes you scratch your head and its one that is extremely rare or no one else has come across before.

Does your engine when its normal operating temp. Idle kick up when you hit the AC button up like to 800 to 900 rpm at idle?

As sadly, I have no idea what is causing that particular issue.. :-(

It’s definitely an odd situation for sure. The engine only idles up when it’s cold and I turn the knob to the defrost setting.

I got an electric diagram manual and will be checking circuits more closely.

 

[T4Rscott]

The fan clutch will start to lock up at around operating temp, 188 - 194 degrees. At what temp if fully locks up at, I'm not certain. When the fan clutch isn't locked up, it's not turning one for one with the rpms of the engine. When the fan clutch does lock up, it is now turning at the same speed as the engine.

If the fan clutch fails and doesn't unlock, this is when it can kill your gas mileage because it's creating an additional drag on the engine all the time. When it fails and doesn't lock up, this is when you'll have overheating issues under idling conditions or you're stuck in slow moving traffic.

My video can help you test your fan clutch. If it's bad, the video also shows how to swap it out. Good luck!

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WzhlACxqeqQ" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>[/QUOTE

My fan does exactly what yours did in the video! I’ll be ordering one, thanks Tim!

The truck does have 233k. It probably due.

 

[phattyduck]

It’s definitely an odd situation for sure. The engine only idles up when it’s cold and I turn the knob to the defrost setting.

I got an electric diagram manual and will be checking circuits more closely.

Does the light on the AC button come on when you press it? The button by itself is replaceable if it goes bad (the front on mine popped off...).

-Charlie

 

[JoeT4R]

The fan clutch will start to lock up at around operating temp, 188 - 194 degrees. At what temp if fully locks up at, I'm not certain. When the fan clutch isn't locked up, it's not turning one for one with the rpms of the engine. When the fan clutch does lock up, it is now turning at the same speed as the engine.

If the fan clutch fails and doesn't unlock, this is when it can kill your gas mileage because it's creating an additional drag on the engine all the time. When it fails and doesn't lock up, this is when you'll have overheating issues under idling conditions or you're stuck in slow moving traffic.

My video can help you test your fan clutch. If it's bad, the video also shows how to swap it out. Good luck!

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WzhlACxqeqQ" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>[/QUOTE

My fan does exactly what yours did in the video! I’ll be ordering one, thanks Tim!

The truck does have 233k. It probably due.

Here's the one you need (Aisin FCT-013) on Amazon and RockAuto. This is OEM, by the way.

Amazon.com: AISIN FCT-013 Engine Cooling Fan Clutch : Automotive

More Information for AISIN FCT013

 

[T4Rscott]

Does the light on the AC button come on when you press it? The button by itself is replaceable if it goes bad (the front on mine popped off...).

-Charlie

Yes it lights up

 

[19963.4lsr5]

If you even got close to 200k miles just replace it. It will make your AC colder at idle.

If your Rad is as old as your fan clutch replace both since pulling the Rad makes the job so much easier.


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[96RedRunner]

Two things I've noticed with known good clutch's:
cold engine off overnight turning fan by hand should be resistance to it turning
Engine starts hi-idle you should hear fan moving air it's noticable, as hi-idle drops to idle fan noise lessons
settles into 700 rpm idle no fan noise.
Turn engine off turn by hand fan turns easily think hot fluid.
How mine works 15k mi new oem.

If water hose won't hose the dirt off it be leaking oil.

 

[brillo_76]

If you even got close to 200k miles just replace it. It will make your AC colder at idle.

If your Rad is as old as your fan clutch replace both since pulling the Rad makes the job so much easier.


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I was wondering what the average miles lifespan might be.

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[brillo_76]

Wait I min, if it only idles up on defrost not when you hit the ac button too. Maybe try another ac button.

As it should and probably one of the reasons no ac at idle. Extremely odd indeed.



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[96RedRunner]

96Red clutch lasted 350k+, Rad 300k.
01 I changed both at 198k clutch just because.

 

[T4Rscott]

I tested mine and the paper wouldn’t even come close to stopping the fan.

I’m going to roll with it and see…

 

[shadow247]

I tested mine and the paper wouldn’t even come close to stopping the fan.

I’m going to roll with it and see…

If it's got good resistance when the engine is completely cold, then you are good.

My fan clutch went on my Land Cruiser. It was sooooo loud driving around. Sounded like I had a jet engine under the hood because the fan wasn't decoupling and running full RPMS.

If you have 0 resistance when the engine is cold, then I would replace it. If it's super hard to turn when cold, replace it.

The biggest thing is to clean your radiator and make sure its clear. I thought my fan clutch was bad, but my radiator was just clogged up with mud.

 

[brillo_76]

If it's got good resistance when the engine is completely cold, then you are good.



My fan clutch went on my Land Cruiser. It was sooooo loud driving around. Sounded like I had a jet engine under the hood because the fan wasn't decoupling and running full RPMS.



If you have 0 resistance when the engine is cold, then I would replace it. If it's super hard to turn when cold, replace it.



The biggest thing is to clean your radiator and make sure its clear. I thought my fan clutch was bad, but my radiator was just clogged up with mud.

So many people miss this. Complaining of engine not cooling down properly etc. When all it is is dirt and debris not letting the radiator do its job.

It's the same with Condensers too. Except folks miss when the fins start oxidizing off the Condenser is junk. It can't cool properly because the oxidation is causing resistance and the heat from metal to air transfer is gone. They get chalky looking they need replaced. Thanks for pointing this out.

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